“I felt like abandoning the whole stuff”. Cynthia IfunanyaOpara.

Last week, 7 young lawyers from Umuaka were called to bar after completing their law degree programs at various universities in Nigeria. Each of the young lawyers spoke exclusively with Umuaka Times.

Excerpts:

My name is Miss Cynthia IfunanyaOpara. I am a native of ObeakpuAutonomouc Community. I attended Grace of God Private School Shendam Plateau State and completed it at LEA (Local Educational Agency) Primary School Jabi in Abuja.

I attended Government Secondary School Jabi Abuja and completed it at Government Secondary School new Nyanya.

For my university education, I went to Imo State University where I read law.

The law profession has always been my childhood dream even when I was studying Public Administration in a polytechnic, I still felt like I wasn’t fulfilled; something was missing especially when I saw lawyers or listened to some of our law courses lecturers in polytechnic then.

So during my one year IT after my OND, I applied for Law and while in HND 1, I gained admission to study law and that was amazingly how the fresh journey began. Honestly, it was the happiest day of my life.

Yes I would love to practice law…the journey was not easy especially when I started; I joined them as a direct entry student in 200 level so it was not easy at all. I resumed almost when they were about to write first semester exams in 200 level.

It was so hard that I was totally confused on what to do, I felt like abandoning the whole stuff but I joined tutorial classes and Mr. Eleboh Wisdom who happened to be a senior colleague and from Umuaka helped me then when I went to him for advice. And he told me I will be fine with time.

Yes with time, constant studies, lectures and tutorials everything began to make sense. And the journey went smoothly and I (graduated with second class honors upper division).

I went to Nigerian Law School Yenagoa and it came with its own fresh challenges too. Thank God that I came, I saw and I conquered.

My Call to Bar was on the 8th day of July 2025 and my childhood dream became a reality. Honestly I felt like crying. Some people even did.

I thank the almighty God for making it possible to attain this height. A big appreciation to my parents, for all their sacrifices, love and prayers.To my siblings for their love and support, my Uncle (RemiOpara) for his support.My cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends for all their supports, advice and prayers.

To everyone who supported this journey, thank you all.